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By hand, it was the most surreal London marathon in its 40-year history: with elite athletes hailed by the Queen’s cardboard figures on a special course in St James’s Park, and 43,000 people from 109 countries running the event “virtually ” instead. of in the streets of the capital.
However, organizers said they believed that the “indomitable spirit” of each participant would serve as a beacon of light in dark and uncertain times, and that the race would help raise “tens of millions” for charities.
Hugh Brasher, events director for London Marathon Events Ltd, said it had been the strangest race of the event. But on the day the race went global, with people from China to Costa Rica and Libya to Laos tackling the 42 miles on a course of their choice, Brasher said it was remarkable that it had taken place.
“What we have seen sums up the indomitable spirit of the London Marathon that has always been,” he said. “Britain has suffered from this incredible inclement weather from Storm Alex, but more than 30,000 people across the country have shown incredible strength by going out and running or walking 26.2 miles. And to think that we have had people from 109 countries participate is quite incredible. I really hope it’s a beacon of light in a year that has been pretty dark. “
There was a shock in the elite men’s career when world record holder Eliud Kipchoge was defeated for the first time in seven years. The Kenyan, who finished eighth after winning the race four times, said he had suffered an “ear blockage” while running. He also seemed to be limping at the end.
The race was won in an exciting final sprint by Ethiopian Shura Kitata in 2: 05.45, one second ahead of Kenyan Vincent Kipchumba. Kitata dedicated his victory to his country and his coach, Haji Adilo, who had not been able to travel to London after testing positive for Covid-19.
“I am very happy to win this race against a very strong field for my country and for my group of teammates,” said Kitata. “I will bring my medals for my coach, who is back in Ethiopia.
There wasn’t as much surprise in the women’s race as world record holder Brigid Kosgei won in 2:18:58, more than three minutes ahead of Sara Hall of the United States.
Perhaps the most poignant story of the day came from Britain’s Natasha Cockram, who challenged a cyst on her ankle and the lack of a sponsor to win her first national title by four seconds from Naomi Mitchell in 2.33: 19, with Tracy Barlow third.
In August, Cockram asked for shoes to run the event on social media since he had no sponsor, while he also had to overcome an ankle injury that jeopardized his participation.
“This time last week I couldn’t even run, so I wasn’t sure I would get to the starting line,” said Cockram, who had been working full-time in pharmaceuticals until moving part-time last month. “I was at the hospital for an MRI and an ultrasound so I am very happy with today.”
In the men’s race, Sir Mo Farah’s unknown role as a pacemaker proved successful as he helped fellow countrymen Jonny Mellor and Ben Connor slip into Olympic qualifying time.
While the world’s best athletes ran 19.6 laps on a special closed circuit at St James’s Park, everyday runners had 24 hours to run or walk 42.2 miles, using a special app to record their time.
The oldest participant was Ken Jones, 87, who has completed every London marathon since the first race in 1981. Jones, who ran near his home in Strabane, Northern Ireland, with his daughter, Heather, from 58 years old, he said: “I don’t have plans to retire yet. I want to show people what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. “
Conditions failed to prevent some runners from showing up in costume, including Russ Brookes, who made his virtual run in Gloucester dressed as a dinosaur to raise money for the children’s bereavement charity Winston’s Wish.
Brasher said: “I am so delighted that we were able to organize the event, given the global pandemic, and that tens of millions will have been raised as a result of this event. Will it be as long as a normal year? I’m sure it won’t. But the fact that we have people from 109 countries around the world doing it is incredible. “
“It was certainly not what we expected at the beginning of this year and this is the strangest London Marathon of all time, but we have seen great performances from elite athletes every day in these incredibly difficult conditions.”
